Senate panel OKs guns bill aimed at mentally ill

A Senate panel has unanimously cleared a bill that would suspend a mentally ill person's gun rights.

The Judiciary committee on Monday approved the bill (SB 1000) that applies to people who qualify for involuntary mental-health treatment but decide voluntarily to go into treatment.

Their names would be put into state and national databases to prevent them from buying guns. The person's concealed-weapon license also can be withheld or revoked. A patient would have to be found to be a threat to him- or herself and others.

The measure is supported by longtime guns-rights activist Marion Hammer. She is a former National Rifle Association president.

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